Multi camera endoscope assembly having multiple working channels

ABSTRACT

There is provided herein an endoscope assembly, the assembly comprising at least one front-pointing camera and at least one front illuminator associated therewith, at least one side-pointing camera and at least one of side illuminator associated therewith, a first front working channel configured for insertion of a medical tool and a second front working channel configured for insertion of a medical tool.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present specification is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/413,252, of the same title, and filed on Mar. 6, 2012,which, in turn, relies upon U.S. Patent Provisional Application No.61/449,746, filed on Mar. 7, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to a multi camera endoscope assemblyhaving two or more working channels.

BACKGROUND

Endoscopes have attained great acceptance within the medical community,since they provide a means for performing procedures with minimalpatient trauma, while enabling the physician to view the internalanatomy of the patient. Over the years, numerous endoscopes have beendeveloped and categorized according to specific applications, such ascystoscopy, colonoscopy, laparoscopy, upper GI endoscopy and others.Endoscopes may be inserted into the body's natural orifices or throughan incision in the skin.

An endoscope is usually an elongated tubular shaft, rigid or flexible,having a video camera or a fiber optic lens assembly at its distal end.The shaft is connected to a handle, which sometimes includes an ocularfor direct viewing. Viewing is also usually possible via an externalscreen. Various medical tools may be inserted through a working channelin the endoscope for performing different medical procedures.

Endoscopes, such as colonoscopes, that are currently being used,typically have a front camera for viewing the internal organ, such asthe colon, an illuminator, a fluid injector for cleaning the camera lensand sometimes also the illuminator and a working channel for insertionof medical tools, for example, for removing polyps found in the colon.Often, endoscopes also have fluid injectors (“jet”) for cleaning a bodycavity, such as the colon, into which they are inserted. Theilluminators commonly used are fiber optics which transmit light,generated remotely, to the endoscope tip section. The use oflight-emitting diodes (LEDs) for illumination is also known.

One of the disadvantages of such endoscopes, is their limited accessthey provide to medical tools, limited field of view and theircomplicated packing of all the required elements, such as electronicsand fiber optics together with fluid carrying elements in the smallsized endoscope tip section.

There is thus a need in the art for endoscopes, such as colonoscopies,that allow a broader field of view and allow extended access of medicaltools as well as enabling efficient packing of all necessary elements inthe tip section, while maintaining their function.

SUMMARY

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described andillustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods, which aremeant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.

There is provided herein, according to some embodiments of the inventionan endoscope assembly, the assembly comprising: at least onefront-pointing camera and at least one front illuminator associatedtherewith; at least one side-pointing camera and at least one of sideilluminator associated therewith; a first front working channelconfigured for insertion of a medical tool; and a second front workingchannel configured for insertion of a medical tool.

In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises at least one frontfluid injector configured for cleaning at least one of thefront-pointing camera and at least one of the front illuminator.

In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises at least one sidefluid injector configured for cleaning at least one of the side-pointingcamera and at least one of the side illuminator.

In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises a pathway fluidinjector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which theendoscope is inserted.

In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises two side-pointingcameras.

In some embodiments, each of the side-pointing cameras is directed toopposing sides.

In some embodiments, each of the side-pointing cameras is essentiallyperpendicular to the front camera surface.

In some embodiments, the at least one side-pointing camera forms anobtuse angle with the front camera surface.

In some embodiments, the at least one side-pointing camera is forming anacute angle with the front camera surface.

In some embodiments, at least one of the front and side illuminatorscomprises at least one discrete illuminator.

In some embodiments, each of the front and side illuminators comprises alight-emitting diode (LED).

In some embodiments, at least one of the front and side illuminators isconfigured to emit white light.

In some embodiments, at least one of the front and side illuminators isconfigured to emit ultraviolet light.

In some embodiments, at least one of the front and side illuminators isconfigured to emit infrared light.

In some embodiments, at least one of the front and side illuminators isconfigured to emit near-infrared light.

In some embodiments, the front and side illuminators are configured toemit light in different wavelengths.

In some embodiments, each of the front-pointing camera and theside-pointing camera comprises an image sensor such as, but not limitedto, a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) or a Complementary Metal OxideSemiconductor (CMOS).

In some embodiments, the front and side fluid injectors are connected toa same fluid supply channel.

In some embodiments, the endoscope is a colonoscope. In someembodiments, the endoscope is a flexible endoscope. In some embodiments,the endoscope is a gastroscope.

In some embodiments, fields of view of the front-pointing camera andside-pointing camera are at least partially overlapping.

In some embodiments, at least one of the front and side camerascomprises a lens assembly providing a field of view of 90 degrees ormore.

In some embodiments, at least one of the front and side camerascomprises a lens assembly providing a field of view of 120 degrees ormore.

In some embodiments, at least one of the front and side camerascomprises a lens assembly providing a focal length of approximately3-100 millimeters.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above,further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to thefigures and by study of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. Dimensionsof components and features shown in the figures are generally chosen forconvenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown toscale. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed hereinare to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. The figuresare listed below.

FIG. 1A shows an exploded view of a tip section of an endoscope assemblyaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 1B shows an exploded view of a tip section of an endoscope assemblyaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a fluid channeling component of anendoscope assembly according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a fluid channeling component of anendoscope assembly according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of a fluid channeling component of anendoscope assembly according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A and 1B, which show exploded views of atip section 200 of an endoscope assembly 100 according to an embodiment.

An aspect of some embodiments relates to an endoscope assembly 100having a tip section 200 equipped with two or more front workingchannels.

It is noted that the term “endoscope” as mentioned herein may referparticularly to a colonoscope, according to some embodiments, but is notlimited only to colonoscopes. The term “endoscope” may refer to anyinstrument used to examine the interior of a hollow organ or cavity ofthe body.

It is noted that the term “multi” or “multiple” as mentioned herein mayrefer to two or more, for example, three, four, five or more.

Tip section 200 may be turnable by way of flexible shaft (not shown)which may also be referred to as a bending section, for example avertebra mechanism.

According to some embodiments, tip section 200 of an endoscope mayinclude a tip cover 300, an electronic circuit board assembly 400 and afluid channeling component 600.

Electronic circuit board assembly 400 may be configured to carry afront-pointing camera 116 a and two side-pointing cameras 116 b, 116 cwhich may be similar to front-pointing camera 116 a and may include aCharge Coupled Device (CCD) or a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor(CMOS) image sensor.

According to some embodiments, side-pointing cameras 116 b and 116 c maybe installed such that their field of views are substantially opposing.However, different configurations and number of side-pointing camerasare possible within the general scope of the current invention.

Electronic circuit board assembly 400 may be configured to carry frontilluminators 240 a, 240 b, which may be associated with front-pointingcamera 116 a, may be positioned to essentially illuminate front-pointingcamera's 116 a fields of view.

In addition, electronic circuit board assembly 400 may be configured tocarry side illuminators 250 a, 250 b, which may be associated withside-pointing camera 116 b and may be positioned to essentiallyilluminate side-pointing cameras' 116 b and side illuminators 260 a, 260b, which may be associated with side-pointing camera 116 c and may bepositioned to essentially illuminate side-pointing cameras' 116 c.

Front illuminators 240 a, 240 b and side illuminators 250 a, 250 b, 260a and 260 b may optionally be discrete illuminators and may include alight-emitting diode (LED), which may be a white light LED, an infraredlight LED, a near infrared light LED, an ultraviolet light LED or anyother LED.

The term “discrete”, concerning discrete illuminator, may refer to anillumination source, which generates light internally—in contrast to anon-discrete illuminator, which may be, for example, a fiber opticmerely transmitting light generated remotely.

Tip cover 300 may be configured to fit over the inner parts of the tipsection 200 including electronic circuit board assembly 400 and fluidchanneling component 600 and to provide protection to the internalcomponents in the inner parts.

Tip cover 300 may include a front panel 320 having a front opticalassembly 256 a of front-pointing camera 116 a. Front optical assembly256 a may include a plurality of lenses, static or movable, which mayprovide a field of view of up to essentially 180 degrees. Front opticalassembly 256 a may provide a focal length of up to about 100millimeters.

Optical axis of front-pointing camera 116 a may be essentially directedalong the long dimension of the endoscope. However, since front-pointingcamera 116 a is typically a wide angle camera, its field of view mayinclude viewing directions at large angles to its optical axis.Additionally, front panel 320 may include optical windows 242 a and 242b of illuminators 240 a and 240 b, respectively. It should be noted thatnumber of illumination sources used for illumination of the field ofview may vary.

In addition, front panel 320 may include a working channel opening 340 aof a working channel 640 a, and a second working channel opening 340 bof a second working channel 640 b which are further discussed below.

Jet channel opening 344 of jet channel 644 may also be located on frontpanel 320 of tip cover 300. Jet channel 644 may be configured forproviding high-pressure jet of fluid such as water or saline forcleaning the walls of the body cavity.

Also located on front panel 320 of tip cover 300 is injector opening 346of injector channel 646 having a nozzle 348 aimed at front opticalassembly 256 a.

Injector channel 646 may be fed by a fluid or fluid blend such as waterand/or gas and configured for injecting fluid blend (liquid and/or gas)to wash contaminants such as blood, feces and other debris from frontoptical assembly 256 a of front-pointing camera 116 a. In addition, thefluid blend may include gas, which may be used for inflating a bodycavity.

Optionally, injector channel 646 may be configured for cleaning frontoptical assembly 256 a and one, two or all of optical windows 242 a and242 b.

A sidewall 362 a of tip cover 300 may include an optical assembly 256 bfor side-pointing camera 116 b, which may be similar to front opticalassembly 256 a and optical windows 252 a and 252 b of illuminators 250 aand 250 b for side-pointing camera 116 b.

A sidewall 362 b of tip cover 300, which may be similar to sidewall 362a and located on the opposite side of tip cover 300, may include anoptical assembly 256 c for side-pointing camera 116 c, which may besimilar to front optical assembly 256 a and optical windows 262 a and262 b of illuminators 260 a and 260 b for side-pointing camera 116 b.

Optical axis of side-pointing cameras 116 b and 116 c may be essentiallydirected perpendicular to the long dimension of the endoscope. However,since side-pointing cameras 116 b and 116 c are typically a wide anglecamera, its field of view may include viewing directions at large anglesto its optical axis.

According to some embodiments, side injector channels 666 a and 666 bmay be configured to supply fluids for cleaning any of the tip elements(such as any optical assembly, windows, illuminators, and otherelements). Side injectors opening 266 a and 266 b of side injectorchannels 666 a and 666 b may be located at distal end of sidewalls 362 aand 362 b respectively. Nozzle covers 267 a and 267 b may be configuredto fit side injectors opening 266 a and 266 b.

Additionally, nozzle covers 267 a and 267 b may include nozzles 268 aand 268 b which may be aimed at side optical assembly 256 b and 256 cand configured for injecting a fluid or fluid blend to wash contaminantssuch as blood, feces and other debris from side optical assembly 256 band 256 c of side-pointing camera 116 b and 116 c. Optionally, nozzles268 a and 268 b may be configured for cleaning side optical assembly 256b and 256 c and optical windows 252 a, 252 b, 262 b and/or 262 b.

Optionally, injector channel 646 and side injector channels 666 a and666 b may be fed from same channel.

It is noted that according to some embodiments, the endoscope tip mayinclude more than one optical window and illuminators on the side andmore than one optical window and illuminators on the front.

Sidewalls 362 a and 362 b may have a form of an essentially flatsurface, which assists in directing the cleaning fluid injected frominjector channel 666 a and 666 b towards side optical assembly 256 b and256 c and optical windows 252 a, 252 b, 262 a and/or 262 b. Lack of suchflat surface may result in dripping of the cleaning fluid along thecurved surface of tip section 200 of the endoscope without performingthe desired cleaning action.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C which show a perspectiveviews of a fluid channeling component 600 of an endoscope assembly 100according to an embodiment.

According to some embodiments, fluid channeling component 600 may beconfigured as a separate component from electronic circuit boardassembly 400 (FIG. 1). This configuration may be adapted to separate thefluid channels and working channels 640 a and 640 b, which are locatedin fluid channeling component 600 from the sensitive electronic andoptical parts which may be located in the area of electronic circuitboard assembly 400 (FIG. 1).

According to some embodiments, fluid channeling component 600 mayinclude a Proximal fluid channeling section 602 which may have anessentially cylindrical shape, a primary distal channeling section 604 aand a secondary distal channeling section 604 b. Primary distal fluidchanneling section 604 a and secondary distal channeling section 604 bmay partially continue the cylindrical shape of proximal fluidchanneling section 602 and may have a shape of a partial cylinder(optionally elongated partial cylinder). Primary distal fluid channelingsection 604 a and secondary distal channeling section 604 b may formsolely two parallel fractions of the cylinder (along the height axis ofthe cylinder), wherein the third fraction of the cylinder (along theheight axis of the cylinder) is missing. Primary distal fluid channelingsection 604 a and secondary distal channeling section 604 b may beintegrally formed as a unitary block with proximal fluid channelingsection 602. The height of primary distal fluid channeling section 604 aand secondary distal channeling section 604 b may by higher than that ofproximal fluid channeling section 602. In the case of primary distalfluid channeling section 604 a and secondary distal channeling section604 b may have the shape of the partial cylinder (for example, partialcylinder having only a fraction of a cylinder shape along one side ofthe height axis) and provide a space to accommodate electronic circuitboard assembly 400 (FIG. 1).

Proximal fluid channeling section 602 may include integrated screw nuts606 a and 606 b, which may be configured for securing tip section 200(FIG. 1) to the endoscope shaft (not shown).

Reference is now made back to FIGS. 1A and 1B. Tip section 200 mayinclude a front-pointing camera 116 a as well as side-pointing cameras116 b and 116 c. While front-pointing camera 116 a may be able to detectobjects of interest (such as a polyp or another pathology), based onfront-pointing camera's 116 a field of view, side-pointing camera may beable to detect additional objects of interest which are normally hiddenfrom the front-pointing camera 116 a.

Reference is now made back to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. Primary distal fluidchanneling section 604 a may include working channel 640 a having aworking channel openings 340 a, which may be configured for insertion ofa medical (such as a surgical) tool, for example, to remove, treatand/or extract a sample of the object of interest found in the colon orits entirety for biopsy.

Working channel 640 a may be formed as an essentially cylindricalchannel located within primary distal channeling section 604 a along thelong dimension of the endoscope and placed in parallel to primary distalfluid channeling section 604 a.

Once an object of interest has been detected, endoscope operator maydesire to insert one or more medical tools and remove, treat and/orextract a sample of the polyp or its entirety for biopsy. Therefore, itmay be beneficial for the endoscope's operator to be able to use morethan one medical tool.

Advantageously, secondary distal channeling section 604 b may include asecond working channels 640 b having a working channel opening 340 bwhich may be similar to working channel 640 a and may be configured forinsertion of a medical tool, for example but not necessarily, inaddition to the medical tool which may be inserted through workingchannel 640 a. The operator may also choose from which working channelhe or she would like to insert the medical tool, for example accordingto the position of the polyp.

Second working channel 640 b may be formed as an essentially cylindricalchannel located within secondary distal channeling section 604 b alongthe long dimension of the endoscope and placed in parallel to secondarydistal channeling section 604 b. Other configurations may also bepossible. First and second working channels may be the same or differentin shape and size.

Second working channel 640 b may be configured to improve theperformance of the endoscope (particularly, the colonoscope). Currentcolonoscopes typically have one working channel, which opens at thefront distal section of the colonoscope. Such front working channel isadapted for insertion of a surgical tool. The physician is required toperform all necessary medical procedures, such as biopsy, polyp removaland other procedures, via this one channel.

According to some embodiments of this invention, there is providedherein an endoscope (such as colonoscope) that includes (in a tipsection thereof), in addition to a front camera and one or more sidecameras, and in addition to a front working channel, also a second frontworking channel that is configured for insertion of a medical (such as asurgical) tool, optionally in addition to a medical tool inserted fromthe front working channel.

A second working channel, such as second working channel 640 b allowsgreater flexibility to the endoscope operator and allow the insertion ofmedical tools in addition to (or instead of) the medical tools which maybe inserted through working channel 640 a.

This may significantly improve the performance of the endoscope andallow the endoscope operator to perform more complex medical proceduresusing two medical tools. Second working channel 640 b provides theendoscope operator a better access to the object of interest and greaterflexibility with operating the medical tools while at the same timeviewing the procedure by the front pointing camera 116 a (FIG. 1). Thissubstantially increases the performance of the endoscope. Moreover, thetwo front working channels may be used simultaneously for medicalprocedures. An example of such procedure may include surgery thatrequires stitching which can more easily be performed using two toolsfrom two channels.

Another example of simultaneous usage of two working channels mayinclude cleaning of the colon. A common problem exists when physiciansfind out that the patient's colon is not sufficiently clean. In suchcases, the physician can try to clean the colon part using the “jet”exiting from the front part of the tip and in bad cases the physician isforced to send the patient home and reschedule his/her appointment.According to embodiments of the invention, the two channels can be usedsimultaneously for cleaning. For example, a cleaning fluid (such aswater or water with air) may be inserted through one working channel andsuctioned out from a second working channel. This may allow a bettercleaning procedure that may solve or mitigate the problem of lessefficient colonoscopies due to a non-cleaned colon.

In addition, a colonoscopy performed using a colonoscope according toembodiments of the invention may save the need of a cleaning procedure,currently performed by the patient him/herself, prior to colonoscopy.

Distal fluid channeling section 604 may further include a jet fluidchannel 644 which may be configured for providing high pressure jet offluid such as water or saline for cleaning the walls of the body cavity(such as the colon) and optionally for suction. Distal fluid channelingsection 604 may further include a injector channel pathway 647 ofinjector channel 646, which may be used for blending two fluids (likeair and water) and convey the fluid blend into injector channel 646which may be configured to inject the fluid blend and wash contaminantssuch as blood, feces and other debris from front optical assembly 256 a(FIG. 1) of front-pointing camera 116 a (FIG. 1).

Proximal fluid channeling section 602 of fluid channeling component 600may include side injector channels 666 a and 666 b, which may beconnected to side injectors opening 266 a and 266 b (FIG. 1)respectively.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussedabove, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications,permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is thereforeintended that the following appended claims and claims hereafterintroduced be interpreted to include all such modifications,permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their truespirit and scope.

In the description and claims of the application, each of the words“comprise” “include” and “have”, and forms thereof, are not necessarilylimited to members in a list with which the words may be associated.

We claim:
 1. An endoscope assembly, the assembly comprising: asubstantially cylindrical fluid channeling component having a length anda height, the fluid channeling component having, along said height, afirst fraction and a second fraction, wherein: the first fractionextends outward along the length of the fluid channeling component, andcomprises a housing that has encased therein a working channel extendingalong the length of said fluid channeling component, and the secondfraction is a void; an electrical assembly configured to fit within saidsecond fraction, wherein the electrical assembly comprises an integratedcircuit board having mounted thereon a front-pointing camera and aside-pointing camera; at least one front illuminator positioned adjacentthe front-pointing camera and at least one side illuminator positionedadjacent the side-pointing camera; and, a tip cover section configuredto be removably attachable to said fluid channeling component andconfigured to receive said electrical assembly, wherein the tip sectioncomprises a front working channel configured to mate to said workingchannel of the fluid channeling component and provide a contiguouspathway for receiving a medical tool, at least one optical windowconfigured to mate to said at least one front illuminator, and at leastone optical window positioned along a first side of the tip section andconfigured to mate to said at least one side illuminator.
 2. Theassembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one frontfluid injector configured for cleaning at least one of saidfront-pointing camera and said front illuminator.
 3. The assemblyaccording to claim 1, further comprising at least one side fluidinjector configured for cleaning at least one of said side-pointingcamera and said side illuminator.
 4. The assembly according to claim 1,further comprising a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/orcleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.
 5. Theassembly according to claim 1, wherein said side-pointing camera isessentially perpendicular to a surface of said front camera.
 6. Theassembly according to claim 1, wherein said side-pointing camera formsan obtuse angle with said front camera.
 7. The assembly according toclaim 1, wherein said side-pointing camera forms an acute angle withsaid front-pointing camera.
 8. The assembly according to claim 1,wherein each of at least one said front and side illuminators comprisesa light-emitting diode (LED).
 9. The assembly according to claim 1,wherein each of at least one said front and side illuminators isconfigured to emit at least one or a combination of: white light,ultraviolet light, infrared light, or near-infrared light.
 10. Theassembly according to claim 1, wherein each of at least one said frontand side illuminators are configured to emit light in differentwavelengths.
 11. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of saidfront-pointing and side-pointing cameras comprises an image sensor. 12.The assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a front fluidinjector and a side fluid injectors connected to a same fluid supplychannel.
 13. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said endoscopeis a flexible endoscope.
 14. The assembly according to claim 1, whereinfields of view of said front-pointing and side-pointing cameras are atleast partially overlapping.
 15. The assembly according to claim 1,wherein said at least one of said front and side-pointing camerascomprises a lens assembly providing a field of view of 90 degrees ormore.
 16. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least oneof said front and side-pointing cameras comprises a lens assemblyproviding a field of view of 120 degrees or more.
 17. The assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least one of said front andside-pointing cameras comprises a lens assembly providing a focal lengthof approximately 3-100 millimeters.
 18. The assembly according to claim1, further comprising a second side-pointing camera mounted on saidintegrated circuit board, at least one side illuminator positionedadjacent the second side-pointing camera, and at least one opticalwindow positioned along a second side of the tip section and configuredto mate to said at least one side illuminator.
 19. The assemblyaccording to claim 18, wherein said side-pointing cameras are directedto opposing sides.
 20. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the tip sectionfurther comprises second front working channel that is configured tomate to said working channel of the fluid channeling component andprovide a contiguous pathway for receiving a medical tool.